"The Great Lent" Publication Available for Ordering
The diocese joyfully announces the availability of its publication, The Great Lent, part of the popular Treasures of the Fathers series. The Great Lent is Volume II of the series, and it offers readers a rich treasure of patristic writings from St. Athanasius, St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. John Chrysostom, St. Gregory Nazianzen, the Scholar Origen, and many others. Also included in this volume is a series of three articles containing an introduction to the spirituality of – …
Pastoral Letter for the Sixth Sunday of the Great Lent
On March 21, 2010, (12 Baramhat 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria observes the Sixth Sunday of the Great Lent, in which we remember how we have been enlightened through baptism. As part of the diocese’s spiritual program during this holy season, our father, His Grace Bishop Serapion, has recorded a pastoral message for this Sunday of the Great Lent. It is available for streaming and downloading here: Pastoral Message for the Sixth – …
Pastoral Letter for the Fifth Sunday of the Great Lent
On March 14, 2010, (5 Baramhat 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria observes the Fifth Sunday of the Great Lent, in which we profess our Lord Jesus Christ as the source of all healing for our bodies and souls alike. We also remember Bethsaida as a symbol of our baptism by which we are healed of our illnesses. As part of the diocese’s spiritual program during this holy season, our father, His Grace – …
Pastoral Letter for the Fourth Sunday of the Great Lent
On March 7, 2010, (28 Meshir 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria observes the Fourth Sunday of the Great Lent, in which we remember how our Lord Jesus Christ broke all barriers to lead the Samaritan woman to the light of His knowledge and grant her the Living Water. As part of the diocese’s spiritual program during this holy season, our father, His Grace Bishop Serapion, has recorded a pastoral message for this – …
Pastoral Letter for the Third Sunday of the Great Lent
On February 28, 2010, (21 Meshir 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria observes the Third Sunday of the Great Lent, in which we remember the Father embracing and kissing the neck of the Prodigal Son who returned to him in sincere repentance. As part of the diocese’s spiritual program during this holy season, our father, His Grace Bishop Serapion, has recorded a pastoral message for this Sunday of the Great Lent. It is – …
Pastoral Letter for the Second Sunday of the Great Lent
On February 21, 2010, (14 Meshir 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria observes the Second Sunday of the Great Lent, in which we remember our Lord Jesus Christ overcoming temptation and evil in the wilderness as He fasted for us forty days and forty nights. As part of the diocese’s spiritual program during this holy season, our father, His Grace Bishop Serapion, has recorded a pastoral message for this First Sunday of the – …
Pastoral Letter for the First Sunday of the Great Lent
On February 14, 2010, (7 Meshir 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria observed the First Sunday of the Great Lent, in which our Lord teaches us, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on… But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to – …
Pastoral Letter for the Preparatory Sunday of the Great Lent
On February 8, 2010, (1 Meshir 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria begins observance of the Great Holy Fast, also known as the Great Lent. As part of the diocese’s spiritual program during this holy season, our father, His Grace Bishop Serapion, has recorded a pastoral message for the Preparatory Sunday of the Great Lent. It is available for streaming and downloading here: Pastoral Message for Preparatory Sunday of the Great Lent 2010
Treasures of the Fathers: Sixth Sunday of the Great Lent (The Man Born Blind)
The Light of this World Again My Jesus, and again a mystery; not deceitful nor disorderly, nor belonging to Greek error or drunkenness (for so I call their solemnities, and so I think will every man of sound sense); but a mystery lofty and divine, and allied to the Glory above. For the Holy Day of the Lights, to which we have come, and which we are celebrating today, has for its origin the Baptism – …
Treasures of the Fathers: 2nd Sunday of Great Lent-Temptation Sunday
The Second Sunday of the Great and Holy Fast: On the Mountain of Temptation (Matins: Luke 4:1-13) And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God'” (Luke 4:3-4). On the First Temptation Then the devil draws near to tempt Him; expecting that the feeling – …
The Meaning of the Great Lent
Great Lent is considered the holiest fast since our Lord Jesus Christ Himself had fasted it. Therefore, during Great Lent we follow the example set by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who fasted on our behalf forty days and forty nights (Matt. 4: 2). Also during Holy Week, which comes after the 40 days, we live the Passion of Christ day by day and hour by hour. Because of the significance and holiness of Great Lent, – …
Treasures of the Fathers: Third Sunday of the Great Lent – The Prodigal Son
"The Grace of God" by Saint Athanasius And that young man who went into a far country, and there wasted his substance, living in dissipation, if he receive a desire for this divine feast, and, coming to himself, shall say, ‘How many hired servants of my father have bread to spare, while I perish here with hunger!’ and shall next arise and come to his father, and confess to him, saying, ‘I have sinned against – …